**January 20-21, 2012**
Hear bells and whistles and lots of music, maybe even a few beginning bars of the Hallelujah chorus: YOU MADE IT EXACTLY HALFWAY!!!! You are officially over the hump after you get this entry behind you.
Way to go, Sisters. Way to go! It’s a pretty good feeling, isn’t it? Don’t think for a second that the enemy didn’t try to steal away your focus and commitment. If you made it this far, you fought with him and won. This is a big victory. Celebrate it with your very faithful God.
I want to brag on you for being so fastidious about limiting your comments to the memory verses. Even when I’ve taunted you with extra conversation, you’ve held steadfastly to the rule. You are the best group ever. To look down the comment stream and see nothing but verses is immensely powerful. My faith explodes in my chest every single time. The sight of it and the effect it was having on my own personal life led me to invite anybody on Twitter who could use a fresh brainwashing to come and peruse it. I pray that numbers were blessed and that some took the challenge and decided to start memorizing Scripture.
All that said, this time, since we’re at the halfway point, I’m going to open your comments up to one extra line for the sake of personal testimony. After you’ve documented all your usual information (First name, city, verse, and translation), finish this sentence: Memorizing God’s Word this year has…
Get as specific as you can!
So you’ll have an example to go by, here’s my entry this time around with the completion of the added sentence:
Beth, Houston. “Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (The NET Bible) Memorizing God’s Word this year has caused me to have a redirected mind in a situation that could have bred fear and discontentment.
Get the idea? OK, now it’s your turn.
P.S. Here’s some really great news! Android and Blackberry SSMT apps are up, running and available. AND, plans toward our January celebration are already in full swing! We can hardly wait to host you here, Sisters.
I love you like crazy.
Beth
Ashley, Colorado
You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.
James 4:4, NLT
Delaney, Allen Tx: “The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 NIV
… I will NOT let satan crush my spirit.
Peggy, Corpus Christi, TX
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV
OOPS! Memorizing God’s word this year has given me strength and peace to face the most difficult challenge of my life.
Donnicia /Raleigh, NC
James 4:7
New International Version (NIV)
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Michelle, Houston, “Ciertamente, ninguna disciplina, en el momento de recibirla, parece agradable, sino más bien penosa; sin embargo, después produce una cosecha de justicia y paz para quienes han sido entrenados por ella.” Hebréos 12:11 NVI
and yes, I cheated and posted my verse before I read so that I could make sure I got it in before the kids woke up…but I had time to read after, sooo — Memorizing scripture this year has taken me to a much better place mentally; most days now I am moving forward and not sliding backwards!
Susan Soares Nova Odessa-Brazil Isaiah 65:24 “It will also come to pass that before they call I will answer and while they are still speaking I will hear.” NAS
“Because of this, in fact, I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, because I know the one in whom my faith is set and I am convinced that He is able to protect what has been entrusted to me until that day.” Memorizing scripture this year is my strength to get through one of the most difficult times of my life….to GOD be the glory!
2 Timothy 1:12 NET Bible
Chris
Canton, NC
Suzanne Bailey, Harrisville, RI
Romans 1:20 NIV
For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
Yes, I need to cling to these verses to have victory in my every day situations.
Michele
Liverpool, NY
σπούδασον σεαυτὸν δόκιμον παραστῆσαι τῷ θεῷ, ἐργάτην ἀνεπαίσχυντον, ὀρθοτομοῦντα τὸν λόγον τῆς ἀληθείας. 2Tim 2.15, NA27
Have a wonderful birthday tomorrow, Beth!
Vicki
Chehalis, WA
But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
James 3:14-15 NIV
For some reason this year has been a hard one. Choosing to feed on the Word has kept me steady. Thank you Father for your Word!
Joyce, Wahpeton ND
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
Memorizing God’s word this year has caused me to quit believing the lie that I can’t memorize God’s word.
Amen, what a beautiful testimony! Praise the LORD.
What an encouragement to continue to press on to hide God’s Word in our hearts!
you GOOOOOOOOOOO girl!!!!
Praise Him!!!
AMEN to that!! me too!
Jill in Trussville, AL
Forget the former things,
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up…
I am making a way in the desert.
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
This year’s verses have forced me to focus on God’s character, His plan, His faithfulness rather than the things I see and am walking though. I’ve been so encouraged through some pressing work issues and waiting on His time for the sale of our home. He has a plan and His timing is EVERYTHING!
I looooooooveeeee this verse!!!!!!!!!!!
Judy from East Chain, MN
“Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed,teaching the message of truth accurately.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (The NET Bible)
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD. They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness.
Psalm 89:15,16 (NIV)
Candice
Evanston, IL
“Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared.” Psalm 119:36-38 (NIV)
Memorizing Scripture this year has been constant reminder of the pure goodness of God’s Word, the truth that fills my heart with joy regardless of my circumstances.
Olathe, KS Deuteronomy 30:8 (MSG) And you will make a new start, listening obediently to God, keeping all his commandments that I’m commanding you today. God, your God, will outdo himself in making things go well for you:… Yes, God will start enjoying you again, making things go well for you just as he enjoyed doing it for your ancestors.
SSMT has been another grounding focus for me, not that I am always getting my scripture completely memorized but that I am consistent in the attempt…. “I have not arrived . . . I forget what is behind . . . I move on to what is ahead.”
Darcie, Bethel, CT
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 NIV
Rome, GA
16 I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide, and long, and high, and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has made me realize how much I was STARVING my mind and heart for a word straight from Him. He gives me strength!
(I forgot to leave my comment!)
Memorizing scripture this year has given me peace countless times as the Lord brings these precious verse from my heart to my mind.
Sandra
Wichita Falls, TX
The one who loves money will never be satisfied with money, he who loves wealth will never be satisfied with his income. Ecc 5:10 NET
Memorizing God’s Word this year to put God first in time and money.
Hi Sandra! Didn’t we sit together at the last celebration? Hope to see you this January!
Kay
Rock Hill, SC
“Teach me Your way, Lord, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your Name.” -Psalm 86:11
Vicki, Indpls
O God thou knowest my foolishness and my sins are not hid from thee.
Psalm 69:5 KJV
Memorizing God’s word this year has brought me closer to Him and also my mom and sister.
Nancy, Sanger, TX
“The Sovereign Lord is my strenth! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.”
Habakkuk 3:19 (NLT)
Memorizing Scripture this year is helping to to overcome an eating disorder which has plagued me for years.”
Vanessa from Victoria, Texas
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
Because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim freedom for the captives,
And release from darkness for the prisoners.
Isaiah 61:1 NIV
Missi, Bargersville:
“Behold, I give you authority to trample on serpents, and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
Luke 10:19 (NKJV)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has given me Scripture to speak to bring comfort and peace in unsettling times.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge, his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. -Psalm 91:4 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has refreshed my faith and has given me a new spirit of determination and perseverance in my ministry.
Laura, Englewood. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 1 Corinthians 13:5-6
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:13 NIV
Connie, Reidville, SC
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5–NIV
Dawn, Hamilton, NJ
“But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you. Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.” Psalm 5:7, 8 ESV
Ashley Sullens
Kings Mountain, NC
Psalm 130:5 NKJV
“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.”
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalm 28:7 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has given me peace without fear in my heart that I could not have gotten from any other source.
Kim, Atlanta
“…The God of heaven will give us success; therefore we His servants will arise and build…” – Nehemiah 2:20 (NASB)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has brought me to a place of dependency on God; I NEED Him for my daily Bread (to be my personal Manna).
Kathy, Austin Hebrews 10:36
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of the Father, You will receive what he has promised”
I agree, memorizing scripture has helped to redirect my mind during a most difficult season
Kristina ~Frisco, TX. ~”Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” Prov 22:6 NIV
Jeri B., Battlefield, MO
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 12:28,29 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has reminded me anew that God speaks to me personally in every nook and cranny of my life!
The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. I Cor 10:26 NLT
Laurie, Gibsonville, NC
“Let be and be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 THE AMP BIBLE
Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours
(Isaiah 61:7, NIV)
Revelation 1:3 NASB
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me be more silent & listen to God & continue to walk the talk to Shine God glory not mine.
Cyndi, Friendswood, TX
Carolyn, Maryville,Tn..Ps 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven thou art there, if I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there. Keeping the Word in my mind and heart lets me know I am never alone.
Sandy, Deming NM
For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and morrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb 4:12 NKJ
Memorizing the word of God this year has shown me how to find victory in the weak moments of temptation!
Amy from Marion, VA
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘YES’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God”. 2 Corinthians 1:20
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been refreshing, a comfort, and has caused me to love Him more and more.
Suzanne, Summerfield, Fl.
II Chron. 7:14 If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. NKJV
Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning. Luke 12:35 (NIV)
Memorizing God’s word his year has enabled me to teach a Sunday School class!!!
Jan
Bemus Point, NY
Isaiah 45:3 (NAS)
“I will give you the treasures of darkness
And hidden wealth of secret places,
So that you may know that it is I,
The LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.
And in French:
Ésaïe 45:2 (BFC)
Je te livre les trésors secrets et les richesses bien cachées. Ainsi tu sauras que je suis le Seigneur, que je t’engage personnellement, moi, le Dieu d’Israël.
I recently realized that memorizing God’s Word this year is similar to the 4 steps of Lectio Divina: reading the verse slowly, meditating on the word or phrase God gives me, praying about its application, and resting in His arms.
Cheri
Louisville, KY
(20) Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
(21) Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21 KJV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has given me warmth and security as I felt as a child in my mother’s arms. My scripture theme this year is God the Father and Jesus, His Son.
Jennifer, Houston
“But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life.” (NIV)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has…been hard in this season of my life; as much as I want to memorize, I’m having a hard time even cracking open my Bible. But He has shown me His love, mercy, faithfulness, and steadfastness. He has been the rain this thirsty soul has needed. Praise to you, Father!
oops! That was from 1Timothy 1:16. Sorry about that omission! 🙂
Edna
O’Fallon, MO
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.”
Psalm 84:5, NIV
Memorizing God’s word this year has drawn me closer to His heart.
Leah, Indpls
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Isaiah 46:4 NIV
Memorizing God’s word this year has given me unexplained, wonderful peace in my daily life!